A totally original and extremely modern environmentally friendly and generally save-the-worldy brand new library service!

We aim to provide as wide a range of books as can be fit into a suitcase, but if there is anything you are particularly interested in, please let us know so we can be on the look out.

All of our lovely books are either donations to the cause, recycled from other library weedings or bought in charity shops; we aim to be as liberal and save-the-worldy as possible!

We do not charge fines, and you are welcome to keep the books for as long as it takes to read them, however books are lent on the understanding that if you have enjoyed something, you would not want to stop other people from reading it!

BOOKELF works in libraries and a massive book-lover, so is happy to talk to you about recommendations, or setting up your own reading groups.

The Travelling Suitcase Library is a completely free service; however cups of tea are always welcome. Any donations to the cause are more than welcome, we love books and believe you can never have too many.

To add yourself to the Travelling Suitcase Library mailing list, or for any questions, please email BOOKELF at…

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I'm really looking forward to World Book Day, which is on Thursday 4th March. Not only do I get to read the new Quick Reads (seeing as not aloud to put them on the selves until then!) but I also get to spend the evening in my favourite pub talking about loads of lovely books with really great people!

Yes, the Travelling Suitcase Library will be in Arcadia (of course!) from about 7ish, I'm filling up my suitcase with loads of brand spanking new titles from tomorrow pay-weekend charity shop binge... watch out Headingley here I come!

Also...tiny plug, there is going to be a kilo-vintage sale in the Methodist Church hall opposite the Arndale Centre tomorrow, and last time I went I left feel very glam, but also very broke! Great stuff to be found shoppers!

Thank you to everyone who had a look at the display, and to those who borrowed books hello! I hope you enjoy!

Arcadia is one of my favourite places in Leeds, I will be there on the 2nd Sunday of every month from about 3 o'clock ish, but will let you all know if there is a date I'm not going to be able to make.

Popular titles seem to be history/ social history based, so I will be adding more to the stock in future! Remember any donations to the cause are more than welcome, especially if it's something you think people should be reading.

A lot of people were amazed I was doing this for free. Let me say it again; this service is completely free, and always will be. I do not make any money from this, I am not applying for any government grants or local community funding because I don't need it, I would be buying the books anyway, you might as well share them with me! I don't need to be paid by your taxes to sit in a pub drinking tea on a Sunday afternoon! I am not sponsored by any particular book seller or publisher as I buy my books from charity shops (and, I have to admit, the occasional market stall, but I'm sure you can forgive me that). Any other books will have been given to me as presents or donated to me by friends or members of the directly for charity; this is not because I do not support charities themselves I just think its wrong for me to dictate your generosity, you may disagree fundamentally with a charity of my choosing and I would not want that. I try to buy from as wide a mix of charity shops as possible; so far the books in the suitcase are from Oxfam, the RSPCA, the British Heart Foundation, Sue Ryder Homes and St Catherine's Hospice (who I will always always support as they are angels), the PDSA, Martin's House, Mind, Scope and a whole host of local charities such as the Leeds Varieties shop in the town centre.

If you have any moral objections to any of the charities, please let me know. I will try not to let you borrow a book that has been bought from one of them, but I can't be absolutely sure, so please don't be cross with me! If there is anything major concerning one of my suppliers that I should know about, please email me, I desperately don't want to make anyone else's life harder by doing this and I don't want to find out I'm giving money to a cause that would not use it wisely.

If you work in a nice pub or cafe or anything at all where you think my services would be welcome, please email me and let me know- I am free most weekends (apart from the first and second Sundays of the month) and can do evenings after 7 o'clock ish, though cannot I'm afraid do late nights on a school night. All I ask is a chair, a table and the occasional cup of tea!